iPhone 6 Plus screen Unresponsive

[Romanesq]

I'm having this same issue on one of our iPhone 6 phones. Its weird because itll take multiple reboots but there are times it works perfectly normal. Where I can type, slide to unlock, browse the web etc.. Then all of a sudden the entire screen is just unresponsive. Any idea what this could be? Is it this so called touch disease people are saying? It seems like that issue is with iPhone 6 pluses ours is only a 6.

This is a common problem on a hardware "bend" on the top right common to the iPhone 6's.

People have opened them and put a sim card on the top right above or below the metal overlay there and had the problem disappear.

Look it up on YouTube and you'll learn about it and the common fixes people do.

 

[bobright]

Most likely touch disease. Not 100% sure. But could also just be a bad digitizer. Have you ever had the screen replaced. Just book a genius appointment to see what’s wrong with it.

Nope I never had it replaced and was working flawless till recently.
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This is a common problem on a hardware "bend" on the top right common to the iPhone 6's.

People have opened them and put a sim card on the top right above or below the metal overlay there and had the problem disappear.

Look it up on YouTube and you'll learn about it and the common fixes people do.

Hmm so what you're describing is indeed "touch disease" or whatever they call it right, with a little bit of searching found this video:

I replaced the battery before so had the tools on hand. I didn't realize until opening it that this fix was for a 6 plus so I couldn't put a sim in the middle as that's where a screw goes. I also totally mucked things up as I misplaced where the screws were initially and was trying to screw the large one into the wrong hole, luckily I didn't force it but it goes on the right side hole and not in the middle. I eventually put everything back without putting tape or anything and the phone has been working fine for a few hours. So does this pretty much confirm that that's what the issue is? If it messes up guess I could try the SIM card fix again but maybe cut it in half so it doesn't interfere with the middle screw (see pic attached mine has middle screw the plus does not)?

 

[Romanesq]

Nope I never had it replaced and was working flawless till recently.
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Hmm so what you're describing is indeed "touch disease" or whatever they call it right, with a little bit of searching found this video:

I replaced the battery before so had the tools on hand. I didn't realize until opening it that this fix was for a 6 plus so I couldn't put a sim in the middle as that's where a screw goes. I also totally mucked things up as I misplaced where the screws were initially and was trying to screw the large one into the wrong hole, luckily I didn't force it but it goes on the right side hole and not in the middle. I eventually put everything back without putting tape or anything and the phone has been working fine for a few hours. So does this pretty much confirm that that's what the issue is? If it messes up guess I could try the SIM card fix again but maybe cut it in half so it doesn't interfere with the middle screw (see pic attached mine has middle screw the plus does not)?

Yes, I've seen video of people using a small part cut off a credit card or even folded electrical tape. Some have wedged it in that corner either below the metal shield or just above it.

In both cases, the screen touch disease and the gray bar problem disappears. The problem is apparently a warping of the phone due to the light elements of the case being too soft. They corrected this in the iPhone 7 and use a more rigid material for the case.

 

[bobright]

Yes, I've seen video of people using a small part cut off a credit card or even folded electrical tape. Some have wedged it in that corner either below the metal shield or just above it.

In both cases, the screen touch disease and the gray bar problem disappears. The problem is apparently a warping of the phone due to the light elements of the case being too soft. They corrected this in the iPhone 7 and use a more rigid material for the case.

Ah ok maybe I got the tape route if the issue arises seems easier. Whats weird is we never got the gray bar. The phone was dropped during the time it happened, maybe the cable got unseated. Thankfully phone is still kicking with no issue. We're not ready to upgrade yet maybe this next X gen we will.

 

[JPack]

Ah ok maybe I got the tape route if the issue arises seems easier. Whats weird is we never got the gray bar. The phone was dropped during the time it happened, maybe the cable got unseated. Thankfully phone is still kicking with no issue. We're not ready to upgrade yet maybe this next X gen we will.

Drops and bends are what cause Touch Disease. The touch controller isn't secured using underfill to the logic board. Solder alone isn't designed to hold chips in place during drops. Anything that stresses the connection points between the chip and logic board contribute to TD.

 

[bobright]

Drops and bends are what cause Touch Disease. The touch controller isn't secured using underfill to the logic board. Solder alone isn't designed to hold chips in place during drops. Anything that stresses the connection points between the chip and logic board contribute to TD.

Thanks. Looks like just applying pressure fixed it no issues at all so far.

 

[SimonCowell123456]

Forcefully restarting your iPhone is your choice. This means is able to settle many iPhone problems, including iPhone frozen during update. Although it is simple, it really works.
To hard reset iPhone, different iPhone models have different methods:
- If you have an iPhone 6S or earlier version, you need to press and hold the Home and Power button for several seconds.

 

[JPack]

Thanks. Looks like just applying pressure fixed it no issues at all so far.

It will gradually get worse as applying pressure will stress other solder points. Realistically though, the device might outlive its usefulness by the time it's completely non-responsive.

 

[bobright]

It will gradually get worse as applying pressure will stress other solder points. Realistically though, the device might outlive its usefulness by the time it's completely non-responsive.

Yea it’s pretty much already outlived it’s cycle

 

[rocketbuc]

Bringing that thread back up from 2018.

I am still rocking my iPhone 6 with a new battery but recently the touch disease has become worse and worse. Already put a small credit card piece over the controller. The display sits firmer now but touch is still shaky.

Do you have any other ideas of what I could do? The new iPhones are only a few weeks away, I know - but I have really come to like my 6, its compact size, great battery life and everything. My phone use is light as I am doing most of the typing for e-mails and iMessages on my MacBook Pro.

 

[now i see it]

Buy another iPhone 6 on Swappa for $59. Or a much better choice is buy a 6S on Swappa for $64

 

[bushman4]

Most likely loose connection
Best bet is to take it to Apple see what they can do

 

[ScreenSavers]

Get an iPhone SE. Samar size but a hundred times better than the iPhone 6 internally.

 

[rocketbuc]

Most likely loose connection
Best bet is to take it to Apple see what they can do

Phone itself is from 2016. I did swap the battery myself about a year ago. That might rule out the Apple approach.

I did open the phone and check for loose connections, also to put a piece of plastic against touch disease but no improvement. I have been reading that a chip needs to be re-soldered for it to work again?!

 

[rocketbuc]

Buy another iPhone 6 on Swappa for $59. Or a much better choice is buy a 6S on Swappa for $64

Thank you for the suggestion. I'm based in Switzerland and prices for used models online are starting higher, somewhere around 90-110 CHF (99 - 120 US$) with the risk of an unknown seller, battery condition, ...

 

[rocketbuc]

If there is any way to repair or tweak my 6 to reduce the issue, I'd already be super happy.

Eventually I will be upgrading but, at the moment, the phone does everything I need, its slim, light and battery is great. Would be a pity just to recycle it.

 

[JPack]

Most likely loose connection
Best bet is to take it to Apple see what they can do

Yeah, it's a loose connection. But it's between the digitizer chip and the logic board.

 

[rocketbuc]

Yeah, it's a loose connection. But it's between the digitizer chip and the logic board.

Thank you JPack. Is this something I could fix myself? Have tools here and I assume there are Youtube videos on this problem?

 

[rocketbuc]

Do you guys think I should try this?

Solder the IC on the back of the logic board?

 

[JPack]

Thank you JPack. Is this something I could fix myself? Have tools here and I assume there are Youtube videos on this problem?

No, it’s a complicated process that requires a lot of practice and real tools. There is at least one chip (often two) that needs to be removed, re-balled, and re-soldered.

 

[ScreenSavers]

If you are set on that phone there’s a lot of sellers on eBay offering the repair service you need. I have no affiliation with them.

Repair Service For Iphone 6 / 6 Plus Touch IC Disease, no touch and grey bars. | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Repair Service For Iphone 6 / 6 Plus Touch IC Disease, no touch and grey bars. at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[rocketbuc]

No, it’s a complicated process that requires a lot of practice and real tools. There is at least one chip (often two) that needs to be removed, re-balled, and re-soldered.

In the video the guy "just" resolvers the IC chip by heating up it up. What do you think? Not something I should try.

I'm based in Switzerland so any third-party repairs will be more extensive than $35 over here.

 

[JPack]

In the video the guy "just" resolvers the IC chip by heating up it up. What do you think? Not something I should try.

I'm based in Switzerland so any third-party repairs will be more extensive than $35 over here.

I'm just wondering how many times the person on YouTube has done it successfully before posting the video. If you have nothing to lose, you can give it a try. It's what the cheap eBay sellers are doing.

Even if successful, it's a short term fix. The proper fix requires removing the old chip, reballing, and resoldering. This removes any existing oxidation on the old solder. Some shops add a jumper wire to the M1 pad to better prevent this from happening again.